What's the smallest/lightest .22 Semi-auto rifle - Like a Cricket for kids, but a semi-auto?

[aarondhgraham]

I'm looking for a .22 semi-auto rifle that would be small and lightweight enough,,,
For training a 6-7-8 year old child in Rimfire Steel Challenge.

I might already own the gun I'm inquiring about,,,
It's a Beretta NEOS Carbine I've had for years,,,
But if there's an alternative please tell me.

One gentleman told me to buy a used 10/22,,,
Cut the stock down to fit a small child,,,
Then mount a lightweight barrel.

That sounds feasible to me but if there's already something out there,,,
I would sure like to be made aware of it.

Any suggestions?

I'm fumbling in the dark here.

Aarond

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[rickm]

I have and use a Marlin Papoose(70p) when im teaching a young shooter. https://www.ammoland.com/2020/06/the-marlin-70-pss-papoose-rifle-rode-hard-and-put-up-wet/

 

[aarondhgraham]

Thanks rickm,,,
I appreciate your input.

Looking for something still in current manufacture though.

Just one hour after I posted this thread,,,
I received an e-mail from Classic Firearms about this little shooter,,,

Rock Island Armory TM22 Feather .22LR 18" Barrel 10rd Semi-Auto Rifle, Black - TM22-LITE-18​

$169.00 and it comes with two 10-round mags,,,
15-round and 25-round are available.

The thing is I know nothing about Rock Island Armory fiery-arms,,,
Are they any good?

Aarond

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[rickm]

I have had a RIA 1911 for close to 10 years no complaints so far but dont use it very often but thats about as much as i can say about the company.

 

[tynyphil]

I have a Henry AR 7. It’s pretty cool ‘survival’ rifle. And it’s a Henry.

 

[Bahick71]

I have a tm22, I like it alot, shoots very well. I swapped out butt stock
With an a2 stock. Mine had a different stock, no carry handle, and
No front sight. Was a little.picky on ammo, but shoots cci standard velocity
Very well. I wanted a semi auto with a threaded barrel. My 10/22 was not
Threaded, cost to thread was same as a new barrel. I found a tm22, has been
Good so far, have about 1500 rounds through it

 

[Catt57]

Mossberg makes the Blaze and the 702 in youth models.

 

[aarondhgraham]

I have a Henry AR 7. It’s pretty cool ‘survival’ rifle. And it’s a Henry.

But is it really a Henry?

I know they manufacture it,,,
But it's still that same old Armalite design.

Aarond

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[tynyphil]

But is it really a Henry?

I know they manufacture it,,,
But it's still that same old Armalite design.



From what I understand/read Henry bought the rights to it and it still has the general looks of the old Armalite but they made some significant improvements[/QUOTE]

 

[Coug91]

10/22 with a 16" lightweight barrel, chassis, lightweight stock.
Acculite, formerly Whistle Pig, does nice barrels. So does Byers.